It was back in March of 1974 when the Lamborghini Countach rolled off the production line in Sant’Agata Bolognese, marking the birth of an automotive icon.
The Countach was a trailblazer that redefined what a Lamborghini could be. For the first time, Lamborghini brought the creation of the bodywork and interiors in-house, a move that would become a hallmark of the brand's craftsmanship and tradition.
And now, as Lamborghini celebrates this milestone, they’ve brought the original Countach LP 400 back to its birthplace, where today the Lamborghini Revuelto is crafted, for a nostalgic photo shoot blending past and present.
The Countach’s journey began at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, where the world first laid eyes on the Lamborghini Countach LP 500, presented as an "idea car." It wasn’t long before Lamborghini decided to make it a reality, and after several prototypes and years of development, the production model, the LP 400, was born.
The significance of the Countach didn’t stop at its radical design and performance, it also marked a turning point for Lamborghini’s manufacturing process. For the first time in the company’s history, the bodywork was built in-house, a monumental shift from relying on external coachbuilders. This decision not only streamlined production but also positioned Lamborghini for the company’s future growth.
Back in the late '60s, the Lamborghini factory covered just 12,000 square metres, a far cry from the sprawling 346,000 square metre site it is today. But it was here, on the modest No.1 Countach Assembly Line, that the original Countach was born, and where the Revuelto, Lamborghini’s new 12-cylinder plug-in hybrid, is now built.
Back in those days, production was entirely manual, with bodywork panels beaten by hand and fitted with painstaking precision. Every panel, despite appearing identical, was slightly different, and the entire assembly relied on the skilled craftsmanship of Lamborghini's workers.
It was during the Countach’s era that Lamborghini’s Upholstery Department came into its own, becoming a key part of the production process. Initially, it handled the interiors with external suppliers, but over time, it evolved into a fully autonomous department, setting the foundation for Lamborghini’s Ad Personam programme.
Though five decades separate the Countach and the Revuelto, the DNA of Lamborghini’s flagship cars has remained remarkably consistent. Both feature a 12-cylinder rear engine mounted in a longitudinal position, a layout that has become synonymous with Lamborghini’s high-performance machines.
The Countach was also the first to debut the now-iconic scissor doors, a feature that continues to define Lamborghini’s V12 cars.
And while the materials and technology have changed, the passion and care that go into building each Lamborghini remains the same.
The Countach came in several variations throughout its 16-year run. The first model, the LP 400 (1974-1978), saw just 152 units produced, and it featured sleek fenders and a recessed roof for the rearview mirror, earning it the nickname "Periscopio."
Then came the LP 400 S (1978-1982), with low-profile Pirelli tyres, wheel arch extensions, and "phone dial" wheels. The 5000 S followed in 1982 with a larger 4.8-litre V12 engine, while the Quattrovalvole (1985-1988) upped the ante with a 5.2-litre engine and distinctive hood hump to accommodate the larger engine.
Finally, the 25th Anniversary edition (1988-1990) was a tribute to Lamborghini’s 25 years in the business, featuring carbon fibre panels and updated aerodynamic appendages. It was during these later years that the Countach saw its greatest commercial success, particularly in the American market, and it’s this model that solidified Lamborghini’s place in the supercar hall of fame.
With over 2,000 units produced between 1974 and 1990, the Countach became the car that carried Lamborghini through the turbulent mid-1970s and into the ’90s, ultimately helping the brand achieve legendary status.